Investigation Summary
The aircraft was performing a multi-leg journey from Paris to Moscow with a stopover in Leningrad. During the final approach to Sheremetyevo, the crew was cleared to descend from 1,200 meters to 400 meters. While the initial descent appeared normal, the aircraft failed to level off at the 400-meter mark. It continued to descend at a high vertical velocity of 20 m/s with its engines still producing low thrust. The Il-62 struck the ground at a horizontal speed of approximately 620 km/h with its landing gear up and spoilers retracted. The investigation was hampered by the lack of conclusive evidence from the flight recorders regarding the crew's actions in the final 30 seconds of flight.
Final Conclusions
The official investigation concluded that the cause of the crash could not be determined. Investigators proposed a 'most probable' theory of psycho-physiological incapacitation of the crew for reasons unknown, suggesting that the pilots may have been rendered unable to control the aircraft or lost situational awareness approximately 25–30 seconds before impact at an altitude of 500–600 meters.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Systems & Failure Modes
Flight Data Recorder (FDR)
Used by investigators to track altitude and speed, showing the aircraft failed to level off at 400 meters.
Altimeter
The primary instrument for altitude awareness; investigators found no evidence of instrument failure.
Interesting Facts
- 01At the time of the crash, it was the deadliest civil aviation accident in the world.
- 02The flight was a non-scheduled international service carrying 164 passengers and 10 crew members.
- 03The passenger manifest included 118 Soviet citizens, 38 Chileans, 6 Algerians, 1 East German, and 1 Australian.
- 04The aircraft crashed with its landing gear up and spoilers retracted, indicating no attempt at an emergency landing.
- 05Soviet media delayed reporting the accident for 17 hours.
Known Controversies & Unanswered Questions
Undetermined Cause
Reference ↗The official finding of 'crew incapacitation for unknown reasons' remains a point of historical debate, as it is a speculative conclusion reached in the absence of mechanical failure evidence.